Session 35
DUNGEON MASTER:
[GAME STARTS HERE]
DUNGEON MASTER: The
heroes return to their beds, Grundig with some cuts that look suspiciously like
dagger slashes.
DUNGEON MASTER:
Morning dawns misty and bright--the heroes waken at about seven in the morning,
refreshed and ready to go.
GRUNDIG: grundig gets up and makes his way
outside and makes a small fire in a quiet spot and stairs into it whilst
praying to Abadr for his spells
DUNGEON MASTER:
Grundig performs his morning ritual in a nearby park, the early hour and the
mists combining to conceal his activities.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan rolls out of bed and
stretches as he collects his thoughts for the busy day ahead of them. After a
short workout session comprising of push ups and squats, he heads downstairs to
meet his companions for breakfast.
GRUNDIG: grundig joins the others for
breckfast
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
wakes up and checks on Kendra to make sure she is alright before heading down
to the Kitchen to get breakfast
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Mesodias rises from his
slumber and begins his morning ritual of prayer to Gorum for 'his' divine
strength before for making his way downstairs.
DUNGEON MASTER:
Breakfast is a elegant but brief affair.
If the butler or staff noticed the disturbance last night, they make no
mention of it, or of the heroes' role in the affair. Kendra comes in somewhat late, her hair done
up in an elegant knot. She too seems
content to say nothing of the night's events.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: With a yawn Johan greets his
companions at the dining table, "Morning, I hope you all had an uneventful
night", with a slight smirk half concealed. He pulls out a chair and takes
his place at the table.
SOLAR CE’NEA:
"Oh yes my friend not a single thing of interest," Solar Chuckles
SOLAR CE’NEA:
Perhaps we should go visit the man who knows about the insignia on the tools we
have from the swamp
GRUNDIG: though it would appear i have been
sleep walking and got a few scratches
DUNGEON MASTER: The
butler lifts his nose and sniffs while placing a platter of deviled eggs on the
table.
GRUNDIG: grundig says as he examins a scratch
that looks more like a knife wound
GRUNDIG: "shell we head to the black
smith and see if he can help us with the marks on those instrements"
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan queries his companions,
"It seems we have a few hours before the court begins. I am not familiar
with such formal things so I am curious if our current attire is appropriate?
Perhaps we should consider leaving our bulkier weapons behind to avoid trouble
with the court guards?"
SOLAR CE’NEA: I
imagine that we can check our weapons in at the court themselves
SOLAR CE’NEA: I
think I would like you gentleman ready for anything
GRUNDIG: the only wepons i have is my quater
staff and sling im happy to leave them behind when the time comes but would
like to keep them handy untill that time
SOLAR CE’NEA:
However we do have time Lets check with the Blacksmith.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Kendra
dear, would you know where delicate and precise instruments such as these would
be made or purchased?
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan replies, "Maybe we
could ask around for the local surgen or blacksmith who might be able to give
more information about them?"
GRUNDIG: the surgen may have an idear thats a
good point
DUNGEON MASTER:
"I-do you know, I think dad used to have some tools with that mark? I think he got those kinds of things out in
the Surgeon's Flats--that's a block down in the south end of town, I think,
where all those chirurgeons work..."
SOLAR CE’NEA: Well
thats as good a place to start as any!
SOLAR CE’NEA: Thank
you my dear once again you are invaluable to us!
DUNGEON MASTER:
Kendra's smile is wide. "I hope
you'll be back in time for the trial?
I'm glad to be of help!"
DUNGEON MASTER: [The
party has two hours before the trial.]
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan exhales loudly,
"Well we better make haste, I don't know about you but I don't want to
piss the judge off on the first day."
SOLAR CE’NEA: Yes
lets us use our horses for more haste
GRUNDIG: i think that would be wise grundig
stands and bids kendra fearwell for now
SOLAR CE’NEA:
Goodbye wonderous angel, we will endevour to be at the court with plenty of
time!
DUNGEON MASTER: The
party proceeds down to the Surgeon's Flats--a pair of city blocks where the
city's chirugeons make their living. The
air reeks of alchemical fluids--and, most likely, other kinds of fluids as well.
SOLAR CE’NEA: SOlar
sugests johan do the talking but attempts to aid him in the investigation (aid
another 1d20+10=17)
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "No worries but I might
need your help understanding some of the more tecnical words they use,"
replies Johan.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan walks over to one of
the surgeon flats before knocking on the door four times.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
suggests while they are waiting to say they are loolking for the makers to
purchase some more
DUNGEON MASTER: A
scruffy looking man in a badly stained white jacket opens the door. "Yes?"
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Good morning, my name
is Johan and these my companions." Johan introduces each in turn. "We
were wondering if we might have a moment of your time?"
DUNGEON MASTER: The
man looks around at the small party outside his door and scratches his
beard. "Shore, I s'pose." He opens the door wider to reveal a number of
what appear to be livers and kidneys hung up on hooks. "What can I do for 'ya?"
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan enters the flat trying
to avoid bumping anything that might explode or be of value. "Thank you,
we were wondering if you would know who made these?" Johan motions to the
items of interst, "We would like to identify the maker in order to
purchase more of these fine instruments."
Diplomacy check:
1d20+5 = 21
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Them? Ha! You're in luck, ye be! Just a little shop up inside Anatomists’
Alley. So small ye might have missed it
if ye didn't look thrice! Just happen to
have bought a trio of pliers there week before last. Zbraslav Hora and Sons, they be called!"
SOLAR CE’NEA: That
is fantastic Sir, thank you very much.
you have saved us a long search!
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan smiles, "That is
good news and you also have good taste in the best equipment money can buy.
Please accept this as a gesture of thanks, otherwise we might have missed it
completely." Johan takes out four silver pieces and offers it to the
surgeon.
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Why thank ye! We don't need
charity here, you understand, but tis much appreciated all the same. Good day to you now!"
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Good day to you
too," replies Johan with a slight bow, as he leaves in the direction of
Zbraslav Hora and Sons.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Well
gentlemen we know where to go, how shall we takle this, I suspect they simply
made these, we want to know who bought them, that might help us identify
whoever was cutting up those people
GRUNDIG: prehaps we try a direct approch and
tell him that we found them at a crime seen
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan ruffles his hair
nervously, "People like this are not going to just tell us who purchased
it without a good reason, either with a donation of coin or some good
bullshitting."
SOLAR CE’NEA: That
might work, but they could ask why the constabulary were not there enquiring
SOLAR CE’NEA:
although we could say we were hired as the gaurd had to much going on at the
moment
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Yeah that might work,
with the whole court case with the beast they might just buy that the guards
are too busy and have hired assitance to gather information. If they ask for
official papers we are in trouble though..." replies Johan.
SOLAR CE’NEA: do we
not have offical papers from the Lawyer?
GRUNDIG: thats even if he asks telling him
that we have been hiered to investergate. i think it would be best to leave
what we are investergating if we can.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan nods in agreement,
"Sounds like a plan. Either case even if we can get a look at the purchase
journal that's enough to work on."
DUNGEON MASTER: The
mists are thick in Anatomists’ Alley.
The heroes' footsteps echo off the stones and walls as they make their
way to the place where a crooked, slipshod paintjob of a sign marks the
location of the dingy shop belonging to Zbraslav Hora and Sons.
A balding, crosseyed
man in extremely large bifocals looks up with eyebrows raised as the party
enters.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
once again Aids another to Johan 1d20+0=17
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan approaches the man with
a smile as he introduces himself and companions. "Good morning, might we
have a moment of your time good sir?"
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Yes," he replies. As the
heroes' eyes adjust to the low light, they note that the walls are bare of any
displays. A metal lathe and a small
forge to the back are the only signs of industry in evidence.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan nods as a sign of
respect before continuing, "We were told you are a maker of fine surgical
instruments, perhaps the finest in town?"
DUNGEON MASTER: The
man coughs. "Yes, well, I suppose
we might be," he replies, his face reddening.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Perhaps you could help
us, we would like to enquire what you know about these paticular items of
masterwork crafting?" Johan gestures towards the items of interest.
DUNGEON MASTER:
"They were made by us," the old man confirms briefly.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "That is good
news", replies Johan. "Would you keep record of those who purchase
from you? We would like to enquire who originally owned them?"
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Diplomacy check: 1d20+5 = 21
(+23 inc. aid other)
DUNGEON MASTER: The
man briefly consults a ledger sitting on the counter to the side. "Vladka Kostel," he replies.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
tries to remember if he has heard of her Knowledge local (1d20+14=28)
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan enquires, "Does
the ledger mention any other purchases from Vladka?"
DUNGEON MASTER:
Solar has not heard this name before.
The man looks at
Johan with his eyes crossed. "I
have no idea."
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan eyes the man while a
smile still showing on his face.
Sense Motive: 1d20+9
= 15
DUNGEON MASTER:
Johan spots no obvious signs of deception.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "You have been most
helpful." Johan looks to his companions, "Did we have any further
business here?"
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
asks can you tell us who this woman is? where she is?
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan makes an untrained
knowledge check against his favoured enemy.
Knowledge (local):
1d20+4 = 22
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Regarding Vladka Kostel.
DUNGEON MASTER: The
man pauses a moment as if to reflect.
"She wasn't a peddler. Maybe
with the auction houses?" Suddenly
his eyes roll upwards to look at Solar and Johan. "Are you here to buy?"
DUNGEON MASTER:
Johan does not know the name either.
SOLAR CE’NEA:
Perhaps soon, We wanted to return these to the orignal owner
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "We understand time is
money, this is for your assistence and help." Johan places a few silver
pieces on the corner of the table where the man occupies.
DUNGEON MASTER: The
man pockets the money without a word.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Once again thank you
for your time. Good day." Johan nods and prompty leaves outside.
DUNGEON MASTER: The
man looks back down at his books.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan looks at the morning
sky, noticing how the shadows fall across the cityscape. "Time is against
us, I fear we should head to the court house and make further enquiries at a
later date about this person."
DUNGEON MASTER: [One
sec guys
GRUNDIG: np
DUNGEON MASTER: The
party leaves the small alleyway and heads back to the townhouse where they
currently are residing. The butler opens
the door, and Kendra can be seen through an open door in an upstairs bedroom, putting
the finishing touches on her makeup.
DUNGEON MASTER: It
is a little after nine am.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Aid
another to Johan for a dip;locy check 1d20+0 = 15
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: "Perhaps we could pick
your brain a little? I assure you this should not be too painful." Johan
softly chuckles, not expecting the butler to return the same social gesture.
"Would the name Vladka Kostel ring any bells? We were hoping this name
might be familiar with you? We are not from around here so we are at a
loss."
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Diplomacy check: 1d20+5 = 17
(19 incl. aid other)
DUNGEON MASTER: The
butler--a thin man with a prominent nose who answers to the name of
Igleve--answers Johan's question without hesitation or pause. "I do not know of anyone by that name. But I
understand from Miss Lorrimor that you are en route to the courthouse? I believe they keep a registry of residents
there, sir."
SOLAR CE’NEA: Thank
you Igleve, you help is appreciated!
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
is wearing his best traveling, scholarly clothes he casts Presdiiation on
himself and his companions so the clothes are clean and new looking
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Yes, sir," replies Igleve.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan will be equipped with a
simple dagger at his belt shealth, wearing no armour, only his traveller's
outfit in order to raise less eyebrows at the court house.
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Mesodias will wear his mw
chain shirt underneath his traveller's outfit, including a dagger at his belt
sheath. It pains him to no end to leave his greatsword behind, something he
will not easily forget or forgive.
GRUNDIG: grundig is traveling to the cort
house as he is (traveling cloths with his lether amour over the top using his
quarter staff as a walking stick) he will however ask Solar if it is
appropriate.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Solar
will be traveling with all the wands he has tucked into his robes
DUNGEON MASTER: Thus
equipped, the heroes climb into their carriage and proceed to the courthouse.
DUNGEON MASTER: En
route, they remember that there seemed to be no restrictions on weapons or
armor enacted on them during their previous visit.
DUNGEON MASTER:
However, they also remember that the trial process is steeped in the history
and traditions of Ustalav. On particular
point si that any new evidence must be submitted to the Clerk of the Court
before 10 a.m. of the day it is to be brought before the court.
DUNGEON MASTER: [We
keep losing someone--it looks like Daniel.]
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: [Connection issues]
DUNGEON MASTER: A
carnival atmosphere evelops the courthouse as the heroes draw near. Despite the early hour, numerous townsoflk
are hoisting tankards and singing raunchy songs. Several people are building up the pile of
wood about the feet of the Punishing Man.
A number of other
black carriages arrive at the courthouse ahead of the heroes--these appear to
belong to judges and other persons of importance.
GRUNDIG: we head to see the gustove kaple to
let him know what we have found out. We
show him the things we have found. we tell him our theiry about someone hideing
ther identity with the skined face, and our thiroy with someone pretending to
be a beast by taking the alcomey potion and using the dark vision potion. and
also the fact that the acused has no scars form the attack by the kaymon and anything elce the party can think of
telling him.
SOLAR CE’NEA: Notes
for Barrister
At the Grave site of
the local village found a camp that had been there for about a year discovered:
a small firepit with
a waterskin (still half full of wine),
the aged remnants of some trail rations,
a curious glass vial
scattered on the ground nearby. The bottom of the vial contains a dried green
substance (alchemist’s darkvision extract.)
Golems have Night
vision so there is no need for "the beast" to have such a potion.
Also found at
campsite: The coracle with a moldy leather travel bag with a damp artisan’s
outfit (a shirt, breeches, shoes, and a cloth apron) inside, and a vile object—
detached human face the face of Nan
Klebem a local. This can be wore as a
disguise to move amoungst the locals. In addition,a bag was found large enough
to hold a human in fact. The sackholds some rope, a gag, a rusted lantern, a
trio of heavy knives, and a rusted shovel.
also discoveed was r
a leather-bound casefilled with fine tools, made of silver with amethyst
handles, buried in the undergrowth nearby.
Also found Aspect of
the beast extract
We found 6 graves of
the 40 graves in the boneyard that appear to have been tampered with, sagging
into the ground as though they had collapsed from below, and leaving wide
depressions in the muddy earth.
This all suggests
the surgeon tools and the missing bodies from the graves and the 10 dead people
suggests some body or body parts trafficing for some reason and the face
suggests osmeone was trying to pretend to be someone else to be able to move
around unnoticed. They could have been
cornerd and taken the extract to run away and the "beast" eneded up
fighting the Camien
DUNGEON MASTER: The
heroes discover Barrister Gustav Kapel in his office above the main chamber,
sweating under his wig and rehearsing a speech of some kind. He looks genuinely relived to see the party
members, and profusely thanks them for their contributions.
"I-I-I'll get
the evidence registered right away," he says. "Who s-should I-I-I list as the witness
for each exhibit?"
DUNGEON MASTER:
"Y-you have done good work," he adds. "But we havent m-m-much
time... I should like to discuss these findings in greater detail after the
testimony is given today..."
SOLAR CE’NEA: We are
the witness Dear Sir, Johan will talk and I will add things as the case is
needed.
DUNGEON MASTER: The
arrangements for the despositons are made, and shortly after the large clock at
the University clangs ten o'clock and the trial begins. A trio ofguards leads the Beast into the
court and shackles it to the large iron chair in the center of the courtroom to
the jeers of the crowd.
Moments later, the
three judges file in--the occupants of the courtroom rise--and then the judges
are seated, with the rest of the occupants finding their seats shortly after.
***DUNGEON MASTER sent Untitled picture.png
Untitled picture.png Untitled picture.png ***
DUNGEON MASTER: Chief Justice Ambrose Khard commences
proceedings by laying out the rules of the court in a lengthy speech,
interspersed with gongstrikes by the Herald. Khard concludes his speech by
announcing that the good people of Lepidstadt have
suffered many acts
of terror and barbarity at the hands of the Beast of Lepidstadt for many years,
and that while the Beast is doubtless responsible for numerous murders, the
prosecution will focus on three recent cases to prove the Beast’s guilt during this
trial.
Thirty minutes
later, Prosecutor Otto Heiger outlines his case. He alleges (in a loud, ringing
voice) that the Beast is responsible for the murder of 10 people in the village
of Morast a year ago, in addition to two other horrendous crimes that will be described
as the trial continues. The crowd cheers
his speech at every interval.
DUNGEON MASTER:
Next, Barrister Gustav Kaplethen makes his case for the Beast’s innocence, a
halfhearted attempt full of stutters and awkward pauses--all the while being
jeered and booed by the baying mob in the gallery.
DUNGEON MASTER: With
the opening statements complete, the trial begins in earnest.
DUNGEON MASTER: At
about eleven in the morning, the prosecution calls its first witnesses--a young
man and two young women. The trio
describes events as they sawthem happen—that over a series of nights, the Beast
came to the village and took people away; that a trap was finally laid for the
Beast; that the Beast was driven into the swamp, and, they assumed, killed.
Otto then calls the
village elder,Lazne, who led the mob that drove the Beast off. He confirms the
events related by the other three villagers.
"Sent him off into the swamp," he snarls, "and it'd had gone
better for him if he'd died out there.
The crowd cheers
heartily at this final remark.
DUNGEON MASTER:
Throughout the proceedings, Barrister Kaple fidgits nervously at his desk. Finally, Judge Khard's voice booms out:
"the defence may call its first witness".
Kaple straightens
his back awkwardly. "T-t-the
defence calls Johan ... D-D-D'Almenta"
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan straightens his outfit
as he stands before the court, readying himself to give his speech.
DUNGEON MASTER:
Barrister Kaple moves up to stand before the witness stand. "Johan D'Almenta, I am given... to
u-understand that you came into the posession of some ideas relating to some
facts that may pertain to certain a-a-aspects of this beast's presumed
innocence?"
JOHAN D’ALMENTA: Johan nods in solem
agreement, clearing his throat before he describes in detail what his
companions discovered regarding the innocence of the beast.
"Your
understanding is correct, we have uncovered facts that prove the beasts
innocence in the unfortunate incident of Morast. With the assistance of the
locals, we examined the grave site of the village of Morast in detail,
discovering a camp site that had been there during the time of the incident.
Further study revealed the prescence of a small firepit with a waterskin half
full of wine, the aged remnants of some trail rations, a curious glass vial
scattered on the ground nearby. The vial contained a dried green chemical
substanced clearly identified as alchemist's dark vision extract. It is a fact
well documented that golem's have natural night vision, therefore the beast
would have no need for such a potion. Also found at the campsite was a coracle
with a mouldy leather travel bag with a damp artisan's outfit including a
shirt, breeches, shoes, and a cloth apron, inside a vile object, a detached
human face who was identified as Nan Klebem, a local. This face could be worn
as a disguise by one proficent in such techniques in order to move amoungst the
locals without raising suspicion of the death of the villagers. In addition, a
bag was found large enough to hold a human. The sack held some rope, a rusted
lantern, a trio of heavy knives, and a rusted shovel. Also discovered was a
leather bound case filled with fine tools, made of silver and amethyst handles,
surgical tools used not by one as large and combersome as the beast but someone
with more delicate and evil purposes. We also discovered an alchemical extract
identified as aspect of the beast which would allow the person to create the
mistake identity that a golem was responsibile for the crimes. Within six of
the 40 graves we found signs that the grave sites had been tampered with. This
all suggests the surgeontools and the missing bodies from the graves and the
ten deceased locals were involved in some evil and sophisticated body part
traffiicing, and the missing face proves someone took great lengths to conceal
their identity, to remain hidden within the village while the killed. When they
were cornered they took the extract aspect of the beast and escaped. The beast
that stands before you bears no scars from the fight with the camien. Whoever
was involved planned this to decieve the locals into thinking it was a golem to
conceal their true evil motives."
Diplomacy check:
1d20+5 = 18
DUNGEON MASTER: The
Judges and other members of the court listen solemnly to Johan's speech--even
the boisterous members of the audience wait until it is finished to boo and
jeer Johan's defence of the Beast.
[Total bonus +15 to
Diplomacy Check.]
DUNGEON MASTER: An
hour later, when the court is adjourned for the day, Barrister Gustav beams and
offers his hand to Johan. "That was
b-b-brilliant!"
DUNGEON MASTER: [The
party gains the following XP:
• Six of the graves in
Morast’s boneyard have been robbed( 1,200 XP).
• The Beast can see in the dark, so it does not require an extract of
darkvision ( 1,200 XP).
• Although the Beast was clearly seen to be bitten by a blood caiman,
it has no scars from such an attack. (1,200 XP).
• Displaying the removed face of the poacher Nan Klebem(1,200 XP).
• Fending off the mysterious attacker in the night (1,200 XP).]
DUNGEON MASTER:
[GAME ENDS HERE]
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